Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:02 pm
A fantastic win against a decent side I thought. Barnsley look a slight tactical switch and a bit of 'Smith' organisation at the back from being a side that could make a second half dart towards the play-offs. Those saying it was a tough win were correct, it was a physical game that we had to work hard for against a team that whilst currently in bad form, have enough talented players in the squad to beat anyone in this league.
The best thing about yesterday for me - is that only did we go 1 down, but we fought back to score 3 (for the 3rd time already this season, I believe - when did that last happen pre-Christmas?) and most impressively, our 'key' players probably didn't have the best game of the season. Sawyers had an off afternoon, Bradshaw has had better games and I thought Cain and Chambers were fairly anonymous in possession. But Cook showed the winger I had remembered when he left a couple of years back, quick, direct, tricky, with an eye for a goal - he could have scored 3 or 4 quite easily. We started slowly and the marking was poor for their goal - but it was a great header. Beautiful volley from Cook and a very clever step over from Bradshaw that sold the defender when most fans were screaming 'SHOOT' in their heads.
Barnsley rallied for a little bit in the second half but bar 1 free kick and a save low down to his left from O'Donnell, we really didn't have that much to do at the back. I thought Henry was outstanding, looks a real prospect - give him an 8 year deal with a huge release clause. Downing was superb, mopped and headed everything and Purkiss just looks like a completely new player. I think it may have gone under the radar a little but what a decision it has been from Smith to drop his summer signing O'Connor after his awful performance at Oldham and give Purkiss a run, he's been excellent ever since.
Baxendale had another of his anonymous afternoons, he can be benched now for Forde who I thought added some much needed ball retention and trickery when he came on. Chambers and Cain did the leg work but both struggled to get into the game or on to the ball. James Chambers, O'Donnell, Purkiss, Downing, Henry all very good to excellent. What game were people watching to give O'Donnell MOTM? Makes it look like he had some super human effort in goal that won us the game, when in reality he made one good reaction save and another low down at his near post that any keeper should save easily. Henry was far more worthy.
Bradshaw took his goal well and seems to inspire confidence in the players around him. Lovely dummy and cool finish under the keeper. 10 goals this season now, I bet his goal to minutes ratio is amongst the best in the division at the moment. Sawyers had an off day, couldn't trap cement and didn't really pull the strings - he seems to have a game like this 1 in 5, thankfully during the other 4 he's generally our most creative player. Cook would have been my MOTM, brilliant performance. Mention to Manset when he came on, he has looked 'ok' at times for little 10 minute periods and his lay off was very good for the 3rd, his reaction just stank of 'miserable french fool, that wanted the glory of scoring, not setting it up'.
We definitely needed that as in my mind, we won't win another game in December. However, if we start January well we won't be too far away from the top half and ultimately - considering our 2 best players have barely played consistently all season and we started without Butler/woeful injury list then we really are doing quite well this season. If we can squeeze a Wembley appearance in, finish around mid-table (or have no relegation worries) and continue to bring Henry, Kinsella, Downing, Forde on - with Bradshaw getting somewhere near 20 goals, then that would be - in my mind, a very successful and superb season both on and off the pitch for the club.
SMITH IN!
He ay going anywhere, until he decides to resign or leave to a bigger/better club.